As a dog named Willow shot from her house, her howls of excitement became a daily herald for the neighbors that the mail had arrived. But Willow wasn’t interested in bills or packages — her excitement came from the one delivering them.
Behind the wheel each day was United States Postal Service of Northfield rural carrier Kalena Sauer, who drove her final route Friday. On her last loop through Northfield, she said she picked up several handwritten notes, balloons and cards wishing her well.
The U.S. Air Force veteran’s retirement came ahead of her second hip surgery the following Monday, which she confirmed went well after waking back up from the operation. It marked the end of 30 years as a rural carrier in Northfield, a career path sparked during her childhood in Hawaii.